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I Was Arrested for a Probation Violation. What Now?

According to Chapter 948 of the Florida Statutes, a criminal offender may
be granted probation in lieu of a sentence. As part of this arrangement,
the individual must maintain contact with a community supervision, parole,
or probation officer and abide by certain court-ordered conditions, such
as paying restitution, performing community service, or other terms. In
Florida, a person can face punishment for willfully and substantially
violating the terms of their probation.

The consequences of a
probation violation depend on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of
the violation, whether the offender has other violations, and more. If
the offender is found guilty of a probation violation, they may face jail
time, fines, or extended probation.

Probation violations typically occur when a person refuses, ignores, avoids,
or otherwise breaks the terms and conditions of their probation during
their probation period.

Common examples of probation violations include:

Failing to report to a probation officer

Failing to show up to a scheduled court date

Committing other crimes while on probation

Possessing, selling, or using illegal drugs

Traveling out of state or visiting certain people without permission

A probation officer may issue a warning to the offender or schedule a court
date for a probation violation hearing. During the hearing, a prosecutor
will take into account the severity of the offense, the history of other
probation violations, and other mitigating or aggregating circumstances
when making a case against the offender.

Accused of Violating Your Probation? Know Your Rights!

If you have been accused of a probation violation, it is important that
you understand your rights so that you can potentially avoid maximum penalties.

Generally, you have the following rights:

To receive written notice of the accusation

To have your case heard by a neutral judge in court

To retain legal counsel

To present witnesses and evidence to support your case or refute evidence
brought against you

Don’t face a probation violation hearing alone. If you have received
notice of an upcoming hearing regarding a violation of your probation,
the first thing you should do is to get in touch with an attorney. A West
Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer at Perlet, Shiner, McKamey, Melchiorre
& Walsh, P.A. can provide you with the experienced representation
you need to potentially avoid jail time, fines, or an extension of your
probation. Our top-rated firm is made up of former prosecutors who know
every angle of criminal law. Backed by decades of legal experience, our
trial-tested attorneys focus on providing clients with customized defense
strategies for even the most complex cases. We are available 24/7, so
schedule your initial
case evaluation with our firm when you call
(561) 349-4856.

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Disclaimer

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.